A mentor of mine in college was the first person to model singing bible verses as a means of memorization. To this day, when certain passages are read aloud, I (Vanessa) can’t help but hum the tune and bob my head a bit. I’m forever grateful for the countless people who have demonstrated to me over the years that it takes a steady stream of words from God’s mouth in order to stay alive (Matt. 4:4, MSG).
Fast forward to my late 20s when I was introduced to the monastic practice of Lectio Divina (Latin for sacred reading) and a switch flipped in my heart. By this point, I had spent years in theology classes studying the history of the Church, Old and New Testament, and biblical etymology. In slowing down the reading of a text and chewing on it as a cow chews their cud, I slowly shifted from an intellectual study of the word of God to a personal experience with the living God of the word. To this day, Lectio remains a nourishing part of my rhythm and rule of life.
Traditionally, Lectio Divina has four parts — lectio (read), meditatio (reflect), oratio (respond), and contemplatio (rest) — and involves the reading of a passage, poem, or prayer four times with periods of silence between each reading.
If you’re new to this practice, you may find it helpful to move through each part in order. Or you may find the stages to be as Fr. Thomas Keating describes: compass points around a circle wherein the Holy Spirit moves you seamlessly between each part.
I will guide you in this 7-minute audio meditation through Isaiah 30:15 from the Passion translation. Click the link in the box below.
